The passage to the east heads on for at least 100 feet and then seems to open into an old sewer line.  The passage runs north and south.  Fortunately, this line is old enough that no sewage has flowed through in a while.  Maybe centuries.

The sewer line is also fairly wide.  The wall across from you is at least 60' away.  There are ledges running along each side and a deep ditch runs down the middle, probably formerly for water to run through.

To the south, you can see the passage seems to disappear into a forest of cobwebs.

To the north, the passage runs about 70 feet and seems to open into a circular chamber.  That chamber is lit, though dimly.  You cannot tell what the source of the light is.

Selvin made a small noise. "yay. sewers again." He glanced at Zuni, "You take me t'the nicest places, Zuni." He chuckled softly.

He took the lead on their...snake hunt. He kept his sense alert as he stealthily moved forward. He looked one way, then the other. He started heading towards the lit chamber for the moment unless someone spoke up.

OOC: Sounds wide. Is it also high enough to fly in here if needs be?

In reply to Selvin Larst (msg # 2):

Yes Selvin.  Ceiling is about fifty feet above.  This looks like it was once a main conduit for the sewer system.

The more alert among you can make out a soft, dripping sound coming from the chamber ahead.  It sounds like you may have found at least some water.

The chamber looks to be just as large as the hall.  Perhaps 80' in diameter.  The ceiling above is lost from view.  It must extend up towards the surface.  This appears to be some kind of main shaft for the old sewer line.

There are ladders along the wall.  Looks about ten of them in total.  They all climb up into the darkness at the top of the shaft.

The light is coming from a handful of silver coins, scattered on the floor.  It appears someone cast a light type enchantment on them.  You can detect all you like.  They only appear to be enchanted to provide some illumination.  Not a lot.  Just some.  It's enough to keep any of you who can usually see in the dark from seeing in the dark.

The water appears to be dripping down from above.  More like a soft summer drizzle than a rain storm.

Other than the ladders and the door you came in through, there seems to be no other way in or out of the room.

"Well we were already in the sewers to be fair, now we're just going to...the less well-kept parts," Izzick said as they moved through the drizzling area. He didn't want to think about what the water falling in here might actually contain. He was hesitant, but looking around, he began to ask, "Do you think we're making the right choice here? I'm just...starting to have some second thoughts. Not about the queen but rather...." If they were going to be helping the Necromancer out by dealing with her problems.... "Maybe we should have just put a stop to her operations. I mean, if we're going through the trouble of hunting a snake, maybe she's the snake we should be after."

Lucky had been feeling the same way as he entered the sewers.  "This doesn't seem to be the way either.  At least with Josephine, we knew where the snake was.  I am not of the mind to climb up.  It is not easy to defend oneself from an attack while on a ladder.  Should we check the southern tunnel with the cobwebs?  I mean sure there are probably spiders but the snake may be that way as well."

Selvin nodded at Lucky. "I think so. Unless the snake is very small or a REALLY good climber? I don't think this is where it's at." He stopped and frowned. "Or...it flies? It would be like Josephine not t'tell us everythin'."

He hesitated. "I can fly up an' take a quick look around just t'make sure." He waited to see if there were any real objections, but otherwise took flight and went up.

In reply to Selvin Larst (msg # 6):

As you begin to rise Selvin, a booming voice echoes throughout the chamber.

<b>You are NOT of the Dirt.  Though some of you are stained.

Why do you do the bidding of those who are muddy?

Zuni picked up one of the silver coins and turned it over curiously, the light spell fascinating her despite their being in a sewer.  "I want to burn that whole place to the ground, Izz." Zuni looked up at her companion.  She was about to say something else when the voice boomed its question through the tunnel.

She squinted into the darkness.  "Who is it that we are speaking with?"

Selvin stopped going up and lowered back down a bit, though not all the way back down to the floor. "You're right. We're not." He smirked and chuckled. "An' we don't really do 'bidding' of others. But, sometimes, we make deals."

In reply to Zuni Runesong (msg # 8):

This one is Water-Over-Jagged-Rocks.  But you can call me Stanley.

After a moment, a long snake with wings appears near the top of one of the ladders.  It's about the size of an anaconda, with wings of an almost golden color coming out of it's back.

The voice seems to appear in your heads.

What kind of deal brings you here?  Are you after my skin?

Zuni looked up at the winged creature and swore softly.  "...oh great...it not only speaks but it has wings...why couldn't this be easy?  Why couldn't this thing be a dumb slavering monster?"

"No we aren't after your skin, is that what the dead makers want from you?  They want us to kill a snake that is troubling them so that we can free some imprisoned people that have been taken against their will."  Lucky wasn't quite sure that killing the snake was something they needed to do and perhaps there was a better deal to be had here.

Selvin let out a small sigh and looked at the creature. "Well. Nice to meet you. I'm Selvin."

He frowned. "Are you the 'snake'..." he made air quotes on the word, "that has been bothering the corpsemakers back there?"

If so, he had a different plan.

At least he wasn't the only one who felt off about this, which meant...well whatever they did next he'd be ready for the shift in plans. It probably was better to keep quiet about it. And before he could ask for details....welll, they'd found their snake.

"Water-Over-Jagged-Rocks. If you're calling us stained based on what we've done then please realize we've had circumstances that have forced our hand of late." His eyes stayed peeled for wherever it was until his eyes caught the winged snake. "We agreed to this hunt for the same, but none of us would call the necromancer a friend. She agreed to free her captives in exchange." Izzick hoped the hesitancy in his voice made it clear they were far from happy with that option.

In reply to Izzick (msg # 14):

There's a long pause.  And then a chuckle.  In your heads.  Which is kinda creepy.

"Man that's kinda creepy" opines Chandanar.

I am sure the necromancers would call me a nuisance, yes.  And yes, I am the one who has been troubling them.

Though I sense no dishonesty in your words and see no malice in your heart, I can not agree to either allow myself to be killed, nor can I stop my attacks on their activities.

There must be a solution we can come to.  Would you agree to conversation about such a solution?

"Sure.  Let's converse." Zuni replied.  This situation was becoming more and more complicated.  "The last thing that I want to do is help out that necromancer."

"Me either!  I'd rather stick my kukri's in their back."  Lucky said under his breathe but loud enough.

In reply to Lucky Six-Fingers (msg # 17):

There's a chuckling in your head.  Which is kinda creepy.  Especially since it's the low and breathy kind.

I agree with both of you.  It is no less than they deserve.

But I fear...and I mean no disrespect...that you would not be able to destroy them.  Josephine was once a rather powerful wizard.  Since she gave herself to unlife, she is even more so.  Her associates are not easy either.

I think a trick might serve us all better.

If we could find the object that houses Josephine's soul, the balance of things would shift quite a bit.  I know it is in her base, and not far from her.  But not in her lab.

Do you think you could sneak into her base, find it, and bring it to me?  Once I have it...well.  Things will go easier for us all.

"Intriguing idea." Zuni said.  "But how would we know what the object is?  Magic is not exactly...my expertise."

In reply to Zuni Runesong (msg # 19):

Do none in your group feel magic?  If so...as vague an instruction it is...you would need to find the most magical objects in her rooms...quickly.  I can only buy so much time.

Lucky had used his power to detect magic before and he could do it again.  "I can detect magic so while he distracts the lich, cause that is what it sounds like she is, we can get the phylactery with her soul.  I don't know a lot about the stuff but I ain't stupid and it was a good thing we didn't just attacker her back in the room.  Now let's get going!"

Selvin listened silently as the snake-like creature 'talked' to them. He was fine until he realized that the creature was saying that Josephine was undead and had a....wait...she was a LICH?? Those things were supposed to be crazy powerful! And they were going to steal her...whatever thingy?

He let out a small breath and shook his head, looking down. Then he shrugged and said, "Sure. Why not. Crazy dumb things are apparently are area of expertise."

He asked, "Can she see the invisible? Or is there a way t'sneak back in without bein' noticed?"

In reply to Selvin Larst (msg # 22):

"She can see me, so I would think yes.

"I would suggest find a place to hide away from the entry to these tunnels.  Then, when you hear the sounds of fighting, be quick and go about your reconnaissance.

"If you need to exit Josephine's lair another way, head out the way you came into them.  The ladders here lead to a large chamber near the surface.  That chamber is under the statue of an angel with a broken left wing and missing both arms.  You should be able to find some way down here from there."

There are a number of side tunnels you can hide in, waiting for the sounds of fighting.  Or you could head into the web strewn tunnels that were the other way.

Though why you'd want to....

"Let's go down this side tunnel for now," Chandanar says after eyeing the web covered tunnel.

You all crouch there, and soon hear the unmistakeable echo of a fire ball exploding against rock.

Hurrying back, you are soon standing outside the door to the room that had the two men in hoods.  Through the open door, you can see they are still in there.  They seem to be draped over some chairs, oblivious to the world. Perhaps they are sleeping.

You are outside the southern door into area D11.  The two hooded guys who you think have tentacles on their faces are...stoned maybe?..inside the roomm.

Let me know how you wish to proceed.

Thanks

Zuni rubbed her nose as she studied the motionless bodies.  She looked over at Lucky, and nodded into the room.  Gingerly, Zuni scanned the door for any traps before slowly opening it.

OOC:
Zuni Runesong rolled 18 using 1d20+12.  Stealth.
Zuni Runesong rolled 35 using 1d20+15.  Perception.

When Lucky saw the two robed beings draped over the chairs and the nod from Zuni, he moved like a leopard stalking pray.  The silent death stalked his pray till he was right behind ready to finish off one of the beings with the kukri in his hands.


09:28, Today: Lucky Six-Fingers rolled 44,24 using D20+25,d20+19.  Stealth then perception

In reply to Lucky Six-Fingers (msg # 25):

The door creeeeeeeeaaaaaaakkkkssss open...

One of them mumbles something and flops over.

There are various magical implements in the room.  Powders and unctions mostly.  But nothing that screams strong or necromantic magic.

Selvin moved carefully in to the room, following his two sneakier compatriots, as he knew they would be better off noticing things while remaining unnoticed. Once they entered and moved in a bit, he slunk in after them. He flew as needed since he and Zac were...larger...than their allies.

But he kept his senses alert as he followed after them, making sure the hooded guys were staying oblivious and nothing else untoward was about.

21:24, Today: Selvin Larst rolled 36,20 using d20+16,d20+8.  Perception, Stealth.

The two guys are decidedly not waking up.  At least for the moment.

The lich's soul cage is not in this room.

You are in D11.  D10 was the room with the prisoners where you met Josephine.

You have not visited D12 or D13 yet.

Cursing his luck that the object wasn't here.  Lucky took his kukri and finished off the one man he was behind.  He didn't want to take a chance that it would wake later.

Perform a coup de grasse

Izzick was more than happy to follow along, keeping his mind open, detecting magic, searching for what might be the phylactery without much luck. "I hope she doesn't keep it on her person..." he cursed under his breath until he heard a dagger sinking into their sleeping foes. He winced, both hoping they wouldn't find themselves alerting Josephine and glad that they'd have one less threat to worry about.

Does anything magical in the room seem useful potentially?

Izzick will keep detect magic up and start searching
10:57, Today: Izzick rolled 3 using 1d20. - Curse these orc eyes

Selvin shook his head at Lucky. He didn't really blame the act, though. He headed towards he closer door, figuring a quick peek before they potentially headed north. They'd already been to some of the rooms south, though he wasn't sure they hadn't passed where the thing was hidden already.

OOC: Heading to...D-10? I guess to peek.

11:06, Today: Selvin Larst rolled 19 using 1d20+16.  Perception.

Izzick, the room seems to be full of magical components more so than any one thing of use.  The exception seems to be a set of beakers that contain various potions.  A review shows most of them to be plosions of various strengths.  But there are two that seem to be necromantic related A potion of vampire control and a potion of ghost control

Selvin, you glance into the room where you first met Josephine.  D10</orange).  The "meat" are still chained to the wall.  But Josephine is absent.

Lucky, you slip your blade into the man...<orange>So, kind of an odd question, but relevant to this situation Lucky.  Where are you sticking him?  Slitting his throat?  Stabbing him in the back of the head?  Blade between the ribs and into the heart? Etc.

In reply to The Dealer (msg # 32):

Lucky, you slip your blade in where the neck meets the back of the head...

The first thing you notice is how smoothly the blade seems to enter.  You have little trouble sliding it in.

The next thing you notice is the way tendrils flop out of the hood.  Well you already knew those tentacles were there.

The third thing you notice is how the body jerks.

But then the other guy jerks awake.  The hood for the awake guy swivels, comes down...

It looks like there's an octopus sitting on top of this guy's neck.

Init all.  Thanks

Zuni had picked up a random object from one of the tables and gave it an authoritative sniff.  She really had no way of knowing what object they were looking for.

Putting the object back, Zuni turned back to say something to her companions but saw the strange tentacles instead.

OOC:
Today: Zuni Runesong rolled 22 for Initiative

Lucky had just finished off the one stoned mindflayer and moved a few steps to the other and slashed at the face of the now awake mind flayer before it could react to what was happening.

Possible crit hit AC39 on the check for 48 damage.
07:56, Today: Lucky Six-Fingers rolled 39,11 using d20+24,d4+9.  crit check.

07:55, Today: Lucky Six-Fingers rolled 41,13,24 using d20+24,d4+9,6d8.

Selvin heard a noise and turned to look back, planning on telling the group to come on so they could free the hostages or...dinner...or experiments-in-waiting. But...Lucky was killing the hooded guys. Selvin let out an irritated noise and headed back that way.

15:44, Today: Selvin Larst rolled 22 using 1d20+4.  Initiative.

Well somebody hates calamari

As the rest of you get into action poses, Lucky<purple> calmly turns and slices into the mind flayer, severing it neatly into two equal portions.

A big spurt of thick looking green goo splatters <purple>Chandanar.  He looks at you Lucky

"I'd say something snarky right now. But I'm afraid you'd do that to me too."

The soul cage doesn't seem to be in this room.

Where to next?

Selvin stared for a moment and then just gave a shrug. At least they wouldn't have to worry about whatever-those-two-were coming up behind them later or anything. He turned his attention back outward once more, staying silent.

He then began to move quietly up north to check on the room they hadn't been in before.

OOC: Selvin is going to check out D-12, and then realize there's another room up that way also, lol.

21:51, Today: Selvin Larst rolled 34,18 using d20+16,d20+8.  Perception, Stealth.

Lucky gave a shrug of his shoulders when Selvin looked in at him and the ichor on the floor and his blades.  He had been a whir of movement and the two mind flayers were dispatched.

While advancing behind Selvin, Lucky whipped off his blades and held them at the ready.

The room to the north appears to be...or was once...a bed room.  It must have been left over from the previous tenants, because the bed not only doesn't look like no one's slept in it, it's actually falling apart.

The rest of the room sees some signs of use.

There is a bureau in one corner with drawers partially open. Clothing seems to hang out of every one of them.

There's a desk and chair in another corner.  The desk is covered in various sheets of paper.  Each sheet is covered in cramped writing.  It's hard to read anything from a distance.  The writing is that small and cramped.  There are two drawers in the desk, an upper and lower, and both seem firmly shut.

A quick glance shows the lower drawer seems to have some mechanism attached to it.  If it's opened...you aren't sure.

The room practically glows with magic.  Those that are detecting actually get a headache from the eyestrain.  It's like everything in this room has been covered with a fine sheen of magic just to make sure it glows.

"_{...and good riddance...}" Zuni muttered, sneering at the remains of the Mindflayers.  Two less monsters in this place.  She briefly thought about going through their pockets but turned to follow her companions into the next room.

Zuni takes some time to carefully examine the room, pointing out the drawer mechanism to Lucky.

OOC:
Zuni Runesong rolled 22

Seeing the mechanism on the drawer Lucky moved over to check it out while pulling out his tools to try and disable the thing.

"I will take care of this, whatever it is."  Lucky said.

15:22, Today: Lucky Six-Fingers rolled 42 using 1d20+27.  disable device.

In reply to Lucky Six-Fingers (msg # 42):

New rule: Lucky has to roll low in order to succeed.

Jeez man. Let me get at least one zap on ya'll outta all this.

The trap falls into so much scrap parts under Lucky's nimble digits.

Opening it reveals a set of thick tomes.

Izzick, you might be salivating. You might not.  These are probably Josephine's spell books.  All of them.

Selvin looked around as he slowly walked in to the room. He noted a few things but didn't immediately move to anything in particular. He wasn't sure they were heading the right way - but it would stupid and careless not to at least check the area out and make certain it didn't have what they were looking for, right?

He tried to concentrate on the magic in the room, to see what type of magic it was, to make sure there wasn't illusion magic hiding something.

In reply to Selvin Larst (msg # 44):

Most of it does seem to be exactly that Selvin:  illusion magic.  There's a thin layer of it all over the place.

"Kinda like someone wants to make you think everything is magic here..." Chandanar opines as he does the same thing the rest of you are doing.  He scratches his chin.

"Ya know...the best place to hide a leaf is in a forest.  If that soul cage thing was anywhere...wouldn't it be where there was the most amount a' magic to hide it?

"Or the gnarliest death traps. But I'm kinda hoping Josephine's too lazy for those.  It'd be a nice switch if we didn't have death traps. Ya know what I'm sayin'?"

Selvin grinned and looked at Chandanar. "Man. You're so cynical! I'd say it was from traveling with us but I think you were always that way. Cynical 'n' sarcastic."

He stepped back a bit. He tried to find what would be the best place to cast the spell and made sure his allies weren't in the area. But he wanted to try and get rid of the illusion magic - though for all he knew it was just making the place look better than it was.

OOC: Looking to see if casting Dispel Magic is feasible and if so the best place to put it.

11:58, Today: Selvin Larst rolled 22 using 1d20+10.  Knowledge (arcana), if needed.
If not needed, then caster level check for Dispel Magic would be +4 to that total instead.

In reply to Selvin Larst (msg # 46):

The illusion flickers, but remains...

"Josephine is a lich after all..."  Chandanar scratches his chin again.

"But I did notice that those..." he points at the spell books, "...didn't flicker just now.  Maybe try it once more and we all look around when it flickers.  Whatever doesn't...uh...flicker...that's the stuff we need to look at.

"Does that make sense?"

To Chandanar's point, she is a lich. But it's a good idea.  So I will give ya'll a shot at it.

Recast the spell.  Everyone except the caster needs to make a perception check.  I will let you know the results.

Questions?

Lucky nods that he is ready to watch in his area while Selvin gets ready to cast the spell again.

07:49, Today: Lucky Six-Fingers rolled 37 using 1d20+19.  perception check.

In reply to Lucky Six-Fingers (msg # 48):

LUcky...in the flash, you notice the glow on the clothing in the drawers doesn't fade.

A quick look reveals a robe with some intricate stitching  in the shape of runes and a pair of leather boots.

The boots seem to have some kind of alteration magic on them Boots of Spider Climb as per 9th Level

The robe...none of you have any idea what to make of that.

"Clothes?  Is that...can that be a her..."  Zuni asked incredulously.  She might not know all that much about magic but storing your soul in clothes was a letdown, if that was the case here.

In reply to Zuni Runesong (msg # 50):

Chandanar shrugs.  "Would you have felt better about it if it were a flaming skull or a blood red ruby?  And wouldn't that be kinda obvious?"

He narrows his eyes at the robe.  "Course...we don't know it's the robe.  So?  Who's gonna pick it up?"

"I wasn't sure what to expect, to be honest, but I don't think the robe is what we are looking for.  Though it is a nice find.  What does it mean if the magic wavered or not?"  Lucky asked.

In reply to Lucky Six-Fingers (msg # 52):

Chandanar glances away from the robe.  "Selvin's spell isn't powerful enough to counter Josephine's magic.  But for something simple, like a camoflauge type spell, Selvin's spell can interrupt Jospehine's for a moment.  For her stronger magic," He gestures at the robe.  "Selvin's spell can't make a dent.  Sorry Selvin."

He shrugs.  "What it means is the robe is the strongest magic item in here.  Either it is the soul cage or what we're looking for is somewhere else.  There's only that room left to look into..."

He is gesturing at D13.

Do you want to take the robe?

Selvin didn't seem to be that heartbroken or angry about his magic not being powerful enough. It had done a little, which is more than enough to at least get them started.

He thought about it for all of a second of two. Then he gave a shrug, grinned and grabbed the robe. He deliberately looked at Zuni and then Chandanar. "What's the worst that can happen?" Like a dare almost.

"Let's keep goin'." He headed to where Chandanar had gestured.

Lucky grabbed the spellbooks and handed them to Izzick before moving in the direction Chandanar pointed.

"_{...a flaming skull would have been impressive...}" Zuni muttered before she took the point into the next room.  She grinned for a moment at Selvin taking the robe, thinking that she had taught him well.  Take everything that wasn't nailed down from the evil necromancers.

"Let's see what this next room holds for us."

OOC:
Perception -> 26

After a short hallway, you come into what was once probably another bedroom.

The bed on one wall has been broken into pieces.  Now a moldy mattress lays on the rubble and the floor.

Propped on the mattress is, unsurprisingly, a corpse.  But this one seems to have been treated much differently than the others you've seen.

It is a man.  Probably a warrior when he was alive.  He wears old plate, a large battle axe resting between his hands.  He seems well preserved.  From the state of the flesh he could have died yesterday. From the state of the armor, he's been dead decades.

Surrounding his resting place get it?, dried flowers have been heaped.  At each corner of the mattress, a severed and mumified hand has been set onto the floor.  Each hand holds a candle which gutters.  The smoke from the candles fills the air with a sweet honeysuckle kind of scent.

There isn't anything else of interest in the room.

Zuni slowly walked up to the corpse on the mattress.  She frowned as she took in the severed hands and dried flowers.  "Okay, this is a little fancy, at least for this place." she muttered.  Considering how the denizens down here seemed to be very cavalier with corpses, seeing one treated like this was surprising.

She didn't know much about funerary rites, but maybe there was some significance to this display.

OOC:
Knowledge Religion -> 21

In reply to Zuni Runesong (msg # 58):

The candles at the four corners are a fairly common motif in funerals, Zuni.  It's usually meant to create a seal around the body of sorts.  To keep demons from stealing the soul.

The hands...that just seems to be a decorative choice.  IF it means anything, that's lost on you.

What is more interesting is the scent the candles give off.  It's an odd kind of sweetness.  You think it's incense used in binding rituals.

Perception checks from everyone please

"Do you guys think that this...whatever this is supposed to be...could be that soul container."  Zuni asked.  "And what's with that smell?"

OOC:
Perception -> 29

Lucky took in the sites of the room and the smell as well.  There was a sweet smell and not an order of decay like he would have thought.  This was something special.  "I am not sure if it would be, it could possibly be a loved one of hers.  Perhaps a husband or something would be my guess.  Would seem like a good spot to put her own life essence."

The sight of the man so preserved had Lucky looking at it and nothing else.
09:37, Today: Lucky Six-Fingers rolled 20 using 1d20+19.  perception check.

In reply to Lucky Six-Fingers (msg # 61):

The sounds of battle off in the distance have stopped.

Chandanar glances behind you.  "I think we need to move fast here."

Selvin looked around the bedroom with the corpse, but his eyes kept coming back to the corpse and the destroyed bed. It was really weird, like how it was done, how the corpse was so well-preserved but the bed was trashed, and everything.

His eyes narrowed as he tried to figure it out but didn't have any of the required information to do so. He tried to see if anything in the room was out of place or was an illusion like the last one. He cast the same spell again to see what auras there were.

Casting detect magic again and seeing barely anything lol.

22:21, Today: Selvin Larst rolled 19 using 1d20+16.  Perception.

In reply to Selvin Larst (msg # 63):

The candles glow fairly brightly Selvin.  So do the dried flowers.  They seem to both be some kind of binding magic, though of a type you haven't seen before.

The battle axe glows brighter than anything else.

Everything else seems normal.

"Whatever distraction we had sounded like it stopped.  If we don't think that the phylactery is in here we best move along."  Lucky said as he peered outside the room.

In reply to Lucky Six-Fingers (msg # 65):

Chandanar frowns. "It should take them a few minutes to get back here.  I think we got a little bit of time. But we can't push it."

He glances at the body. "So...do we wanna...I dunno.  Take something?"

"Oh...it is so very tempting."  Zuni said, eying the corpse.  "Not like he's going to need it now.  You think it's safe?"

In reply to Zuni Runesong (msg # 67):

"It's a mysterious dead body surrounded by mummy hands clutching candles in the middle of a necromantic lich's layer.  And you're worried about safe just now?"  Chandanar shrugs.

"My job's ta patch you up.  You guys are the ones that decide to touch the stove to see if it's hot or not."

Lucky came back to the bed and looked over the corpse quickly.  He wanted to see if there were any traps possible before he reached in and grabbed at anything.

13:13, Today: Lucky Six-Fingers rolled 28 using 1d20+19.  look for traps.

In reply to Lucky Six-Fingers (msg # 69):

You see nothing overt Lucky

Zuni couldn't tell if there was anything magical about the whole setup with this corpse.  The others had mentioned that there was something magical around the corpse.  Zuni was a stabby type not a finger wiggling type, but she wasn't about to let good loot sit idly by.

Taking out an arrow, she slowly poked it towards the corpse, aiming to snag the axe.

In reply to Zuni Runesong (msg # 71):

So, using the arrow tip to push the axe away from the body, correct?  Let me know if I have that wrong please.

OOC:
That is correct.

In reply to Zuni Runesong (msg # 73):

The axe is heavier than it looks.  Even for an axe.  But you slip it to one side and off the chest rather easily.

That's when the candles suddenly flicker and the smoke starts to pour off them like water spouts off a stormy ocean.

The smoke spouts seem to be congealing...

Four smoke elementals are forming.  Init or run for it?

"Frack!!"  Lucky says as the smoke begins to pour out.  "Kick the candles over!"  Not knowing how he could fight them, Lucky begins to back out of the room.

In reply to Lucky Six-Fingers (msg # 75):

Let's go to init.  I am acting on a 19.

State your actions and post your rolls please.  Thanks

"Okay, what are those?" Zuni asked, taking a step back as her hand flew to the hilt of her sword.  "And how do we kill them?"

OOC:
My Initiative was 19.  Who acts first?

Lucky hadn't any idea what the smoke was forming but figured kicking the candles over wouldn't cause more damage so with quick feet he moved to each of the candles and gave them a kick to knock them over and away from the bed.

07:07, Today: Lucky Six-Fingers rolled 21 using 1d20+13.  initiative.

In reply to Zuni Runesong (msg # 77):

Ties go to players Zuni.  YOu go

In reply to Lucky Six-Fingers (msg # 78):

Lucky, you sneak out a foot, knocking over the nearest candle.  The wisk sputters and goes out...

But the smoke elemental that had formed doesn't seem to mind.  It moves forward...

Zuni's go

Zuni watched the smoke move forward.  She tried to think of what this thing could be but was only able to settle on 'It's Magic'.  Magic.  Smoke Magic?  Was that a thing?

Nimble fingers produced a dagger from one of the many spots that she hid them about her person, and she threw it at the nearest smoke....thing.  If the dagger seemed to hurt the smoke thing then she could follow up with her sword.  If not....

OOC:
Ranged Dagger Attack -> 35 to hit
Damage -> 2

The dagger hits the smoke thing and...

...sticks for a moment before falling aside.  The smoke thing wavered a moment.  But it's hard to tell if the dagger hurt it or not.  It's not bleeding at least.

Sorry.  Kind of hard to tell much at the moment.

You guys can take an action.  Your call.

Selvin was mildly distracted at first, studying the unusual binding magic. Summoning and binding were kind of part and parcel of his 'profession' after all. So he didn't react too quickly when the smoke elementals first appeared. But then he quickly moved to the nearest one and lashed out at it.

Lucky is going to run around the room scattering the candles as he kicks them against the walls hoping to distinguish the flames.

As Selvin and Zuni attack the smoke things, Lucky kicks over two more candles.  Only one left.

<purple>Selvin, you plowed into one of the smoke things.  It staggers under all the damage...but it doesn't go down.  You think you've definitely hurt it though.

Behind you, Chandanar curses.  <aqua>"Damnit!  I can hear voices comin'.  I think they're returning!"</purple>

"Iz! Chan! Keep lookin' for the 'lactery!"

He then tried to make sure he was the prime target for any further attacks. He deliberately moved away from the one he'd been attacking and flew straight at another one, lashing out with all his attacks at it.

OOC: Provoking an attack of opportunity by charging a different creature.

20:52, Today: Selvin Larst rolled 28,24,34,36,20 using d20+18,d20+18,d20+18,d20+18,d20+18.  Charging power attack.

20:52, Today: Selvin Larst rolled 21,4,20,5,22,4,28,5,23,2 using 2d6+18,d6,d8+18,d6,d8+18,d6,2d6+18,d6,2d6+18,d6.  Damage in order (magical, 2nd die is electrical).

In reply to Selvin Larst (msg # 86):

Izzick and Chandanar start doing their mystic sense thang while Zuni and Selvin attack the smoke forms.

Lucky, you knock over the last candle.

One of the smoke forms disappates from Selvin's attack.

The others seem to get smaller.  Whether they are fading or not you aren't sure.

But they aren't doing anything directly to any of you other than flying about.

But it does seem to be getting hard to breath...

Everyone give me a Fort save vs. 23-

If not, you are choking.  Consider yourself drowning until you make a Fort check.

Questions?

With the candles put out, Lucky thought the worst might be over but that wasn't the case as the smoke became a little too much for his liking as he began to choke and cough.  "What the hell???"

06:33, Today: Lucky Six-Fingers rolled 19 using 1d20+5.  Fort save.

Izzick began to cough and choke out a sputtering mess. "Damn, hard to look. Think we have to *hack* deal with them first." Between the choking sounds though he began to chant, calling up magic as he began to think of a way to kill smoke. Before finally he touched a tattoo on his wrist. It began to glow, then exploded into flames, engulfing him, the room, and just about everything except for the group themselves as the fire passed harmlessly over all of them.

22:30, Today: Izzick rolled 15 using 1d20+3.  Fort Save.

Knowledge Arcana to find out if there's a good way to hurt these
22:34, Today: Izzick rolled 17 using 1d20+11.  Arcana.

Activating my Spell Tattoo of selective fireball
22:40, Today: Izzick rolled 37 using 10d6.  Fireball.
DC 20 for half damage
Avoids 5 targets so I'll have it ignore me, Selvin, Zuni, Lucky, and Chandenar.

Zuni started to cough as the smoke became thicker.  Grabbing the axe, she moved away from the altar and towards the door, trying to listen in on what might be coming towards them.

OOC:
Fort Save ->30

As you ponder the best way to deal with them Izzick, you stumble on it.

The fireball bursts inside the room, leaving the five of you unscathed, and the smoke columns cinders.  They seem to just burn up.

Zuni, you can hear the voices.  Two of them.

"What was that FWOOSH sound?"  That voice is unfamiliar.

"That sounded like a destructive spell.  Now what is going on?" says an annoyed, raspy familiar voice.  That's Josephine.

Chandanar blinks, and looks at the rest of you.  "Discretion.  Better part of valor.  Let's make tracks.  Can anyone teleport us outta here?"

Selvin, despite having the symbiote's form encasing him, began to feel the effects of the increased smoke. Or maybe it was affecting Zac and impairing them both. Regardless he didn't like it at all.

He shook his head at Chandanar, and tried to keep his voice (and the coughing) quiet. "Only - cough! - myself an' Zac short distances. I could - cough - summon some distractions up? Or go distract 'em so ya'll can get away."

"Maybe we just lop off her head as we run past her." Zuni said with an undisguised malice.  Oh she wanted to take Josephines head from her shoulders, but she also knew that her blades would not be up to the task.  Damn the woman.

"I can't teleport at all but I am willing to try and cut her to pieces."  Lucky was just ready to move and was now breathing a little better now that the smoke was gone.

Lucky looked to the body on the bed to see if the fireball had any effect on anything there.

"Teleportation? No. But I can definitely keep her here one way or another. But we came to destroy her phylactery, whatever it may be. Should we do that and try to take her down at the same time?" Even if they destroyed it, they'd have to kill her. Re-kill her? Un-kill her? "She's only going to be more prepared for us next time."

"Okay, but we need that phylactery of hers first."  Zuni said, keeping an ear to the door.  "I wouldn't mind killing her a few ties but it shouldn't become a habit."

"Anyway that we can sneak out of here?  I don't think hiding is much of an option, but maybe if we bolt out the door quick enough and find another room..."

In reply to Zuni Runesong (msg # 96):

Lucky, the body is so much charcoal briquette.  There's nothing of interest there.

Chandanar scratches his chin.  "Uhhh...don't we have like a gazillion gallons of that potion that turns us to mist?"

He opens his bottomless pouch and rummages inside. Then starts laying out several bottles of a grayish liquid.  A quick inspection of them by those of you more arcanaily inclined verify these potions will turn the imbiber into so much smoke.

You guys have about ten of them. Just never used them

"And we have our way to escape."  Zuni said, stepping forward and taking a potion from Chandanar.  She looked at the potion in her hand and then turned to the others.  "But what is our plan here.  we came to find her phylactery to kill her for that snake thing.  We haven't found the phylactery so we can't kill Josephine yet.  Are we going to mist around the dungeons here until we find it?  Can we do that?"

Lucky moved to get one of the potions too but when Zuni presented her question Lucky turned to her and shrugged.  "I don't know enough about the magic to give you an answer on that.  It certainly would be handy to do so."  Lucky turned to Izzick and Selvin for an answer.

Selvin cast a spell on the form of the eidolon surrounding him and some of the wounds disappeared. "Hmm. Can we still be harmed while...mist or whatever? An' how fast would we go? I don't wanna think about what might happen when we can't defend ourselves." He gave a shrug. "I can make myself invisible while ya'll go that route if we want, t'make sure, if needs be, that they focus on me."

He looked closely at the body one more time. He really wanted to find the phylactery but wasn't sure what to look for.

10:25, Today: Selvin Larst rolled 26 using 3d8+10.  Rejuvenate Eidolon spell.

Chandanar points at the clearing smoke and pops the top on his bottle.

"Just act like smoke...whatevertheyweres.  And drift near the ceiling.  If they're so focused on what happened, we might be able to sneak out over their heads..."

He shrugs.  "Unless you guys wanna take on a lich queen and all her minions."

He downs the potion and is soon so much smoke, floating up towards the ceiling.

Lucky took the top off his potion and drank it as Chandalar had.  He too floats up to the ceiling blending in with the other smoke but more towards the door.

Moving us along

You all drift up towards the ceiling as smoke just in time.

Josephine, the dancing halfling, and three rather morbid lookin types come in.

Josephine looks over at the charred corpse and shakes her head.  "I knew leaving that out was a mistake."

The halfling smirks at her.  "Oh but it gets worse!"  He jerks a thumb back into the bedroom.  "Guess what's missing?"

Josephine's dull, lifeless eyes scan the bedroom.  "MY ROBE!"

She begins tearing the bedroom apart.  The halfling chuckles.

Sorry all.  It was the robe

The lot of you begin to waft down the hallway.  By the time you begin to reform, you are back near the juncture leading to the couatl's hiding place.  past the southern door of area D10

You are all people again.

Zuni was grinning like a giddy school girl as she reformed from mist, her eyes wide with excitement.  For a moment she forgot all about Josephine and was consumed by the wonderment that was the experience of a magical potion turning her into mist and back.  It was an amazing feeling, and she was about to say just as much to her companions, when she realized where they were.

The snake things room.

Like a being dumped on by a bucket of cold water, her expression diminished until she was all business once more.  "Josephine seemed to be a little upset that the robe was missing.  Do you think that's the phylactery?"

Though Lucky had never had the feeling of being mist he certainly knew what it was to be unseen and silent as the night.  He too heard the commotion back in the room as Josephine tore through it looking for the robe.  THE ROBE!!!

"Yes I believe you are right Zuni.  I stand corrected I guess.  How did she make the robe her phylactory?  Or is it not really a robe but a disguised item instead?  Anyways, we need to destroy it so we can kill her?"

In reply to Lucky Six-Fingers (msg # 105):

Chandanar looks over the robe and shrugs.  "Seems kinda gaudy to me.  Should we take this to...what's it's name? Water-Over-The-Rocks?  Let him deal with Josephine.  We can scoop up the prisoners afterwards."

Izzick stared at the piece of fabric, "I think acting fast is the best. Light it on fire, tear it up, do whatever we've got to do to get rid of it." If they were lucky, mortality might keep Josephine away for a bit. But he'd have also much preferred a Naga running around the underbelly of the city than a lich known for experiments...it might have been better to make sure she was down for the count. "I don't want to know what would happen if Water-Over-The-Rocks fails even with the phylactery in it's...tail?"

In reply to Izzick (msg # 107):

Setting it on fire?

Assuming no objections, I say so

DO it!!!!

The thought of a mortal Josephine was warming to Zunis inner being.  "Burn it." she said with a wicked smile.

In reply to Lucky Six-Fingers (msg # 110):

Catching the robe a blaze takes some doing.  It finally requires Izzick calling up a potent ball of flame after Chandanar does something holy to it.  But at last the robe catches fire.

A sort of blackish mist rises from the smoldering cloth.  It seems to form a human shape, much like those candles did before.  But then a wind springs up from somewhere and scatters it.  The smoke becomes so much ash and then the ash is gone.

From down the hall, in the direction of Josephine's room, you hear a loud BANG.  Then some voices raised in alarm.

You can make out the following

"Why did she just blow up like that?"

"They must have really found it!  This is great!  Let's grab her stuff!"

The loyalty of minions towards their departed leader is truly touching, isn't it?

As the smoky human image formed and then dispersed, Lucky knew the Lich was dead.  It was confirmed by the loud BANG heard from the direction they had just come.  The voices further confirming just that.

"We need to get down there and beat them as well.  If she had powerful magic they could use it to further her deeds."  Lucky began to move that way with both kukris in hand.

"That was what I was thinking as well." Zuni agreed with Lucky.  She fell in step behind Lucky.

In reply to Zuni Runesong (msg # 114):

You come up outside the southern door That is the southern door in area D11

Peeking through, you can see that weird halfling who had all the dancers and a woman with greenish skin leafing through everything in the room.

Someone calls out from the bedroom area to the north

"Someone grabbed her spell book!  Are you sure she's got a gate key?"

"Yeah.  Saw her use it once," says the halfling as he looks inside a vase.  "It was a battleaxe.  How the hell can you not see a battle axe?  Anyway, we need to find that.  We should be able to loot the castle's treasury since the gate warps into it."

"The axe is a Gate key?  What is a gate key?" Zuni whispered to the others.  The idea of being able to warp, whatever that was, somewhere into the castle sounded exciting and very useful.  If they could use it to warp right into the castle and avoid all mess of trouble on their way to deal with the Queen, then it would be of great value.

"there's only the two of them.  Let's take them out."

In reply to Zuni Runesong (msg # 116):

Okie dokie.  Roll init and post your actions please.

You guys have surprise.

Let me know if there are questions.

Thanks

They made it back to the room and overheard them talk about looting the castle's treasury.  Lucky grinned at the thought as he grabbed his starknife and once the door was opened and battle commenced he tossed it at the halfling.

Sneak attack the halfling with a starknife throw hitting AC36 for 40 damage.
08:05, Today: Lucky Six-Fingers rolled 16 using 1d20+13.  initiative.
08:14, Today: Lucky Six-Fingers rolled 36,12,28 using d20+19,d4+9,7d8.  Surprise attack w starknife.

In reply to Lucky Six-Fingers (msg # 118):

The starknife sinks into the halfling's back like it's sinking into warm butter.

He shrieks, flailing.

Greenskin looks up and points at the doorway.  She mutters something and a gout of flame shoots from her fingers.

27 pts damage for everyone in the doorway.  Reflex save 14- for half.

Your guys go

Zuni was not one to let a good sneak attack go to waste.  As Lucky tossed his starknife, Zuni ran towards the woman.  Her duelling sword flashed as the small woman drew it forth and sought to bury the tip into the other woman.  Zuni wasn't fast enough and had to evade a jet of flame before she could reach her target.

OOC:
Reflex Save -> 20 (She takes 7 points damage)
Attack -> 24 to hit
Damage -> 26 (Including sneak attack)
Initiative -> 28

No sooner did Zuni slash at the woman than her opponent wiggled fingers causing Zuni to have to evade a jet of flame.  The flames licked at her side as Zuni wheeled away, her sword trailing in a wide deadly arc.

OOC:
Attacks to hit -> 32, 36 (Critical!), 30, 14
Confirm critical -> 28
Damage -> 22, 25 (50 if critical is successful), 20, 19
This message was last edited by the player at 03:16, Thu 17 Mar 2022.

Lucky easily positioned himself to dodge a majority of the fire spell that shout out at him and the others.  With his starknife having returned to his hand he pocketed it and drew his other Kukri and advanced on the dangerous green-skinned woman.  He knew that he wouldn't be able to cause a deadly sneak attack but knew that if he positioned himself well enough that Zuni would be able to come into flank the woman so they could both inflict the most damage as possible.

Lucky slashed out with his blade hoping for a critical hit.  The angle of his blade was perfect as it sliced under the arm aiming for an artery.

09:34, Yesterday: Lucky Six-Fingers rolled 35 using 1d20+17.  reflex save.

09:29, Today: Lucky Six-Fingers rolled 44,13 using d20+24,d4+9.
09:30, Today: Lucky Six-Fingers rolled 31,13 using d20+24,d4+9.  crit check.
Total of 26 damage with the critical.

In reply to Lucky Six-Fingers (msg # 121):

Greenie makes a choking sound as the two of you one-two her.  She stumbles sideways.

Chandanar waves his hands and does something, freezing the halfling in place.  Izzick turns to roast him.

A dark skinned elf steps through the northern opening, her hands holding a wicked looking bastard sword.  Selvin launches himself at her.

Greenie is still up Lucky and Zuni (should still be once you've adjusted your damage Zuni.  She's tough).

She is trying to defend.  Ha.  We'll see how that works out for her.

You guys go

Lucky stuck to the green-skinned female knowing he could finish her off with some deadly attacks.  He did notice the dark-skinned elf come through the doorway and though he didn't move to her Selvin unleashed a deadly attack on her.  "You will taste death now and forever rest my dear."

Hit AC23 for 54, AC21 for 44, ad AC29 for 45 damage.
10:50, Today: Lucky Six-Fingers rolled 23,11,43,21,10,34,29,10,35 using d20+17,d4+9,7d8,d20+17,d4+9,7d8,d20+12,d4+9,7d8.  full attack flank on greenie.

"Lucky!  Let's finish her!"  Zuni shouted as she renewed her attacks on the green woman.  She snarled at the woman.  "Get dead!  We have a busy day ahead of us!"

OOC:
Using Tactician as a Swift action to grant Lucky Precise Strike teamwork feat (additional 1d6 damage on each successful melee hit)
Attacks to hit -> 33, 38 (Critical!), 28, 12
Confirm critical -> 22
Damage -> 25,24 (48 if confirmed),29,26

In reply to Zuni Runesong (msg # 124):

No need to reroll damage Lucky

Greenie doesn't seem to know quite what happened.  Then she's not so much green anymore as she is red.  And in pieces.

Selvin is finishing up on his end.  Chandanar and Izzick seem to have finished as well.

"We didn't kill him..." Chandanar says, pointing at the halfling.  "In case you guys wanted to ask him about what he was talking about."

You guys wrapped that up fairly quickly.  Teamwork!  You may now torture/interrogate the halfling at your leisure.

Thanks!

Izzick took the reins once the halfling came to, stepping forward. His face was a scary one - tattoos mixed with a grimacing half-orc expression. He knew how to play the scary role well by now. "Start talking." Simple commands always seemed to work best on the minions and underlings. "What are you looking for in here? We already dealt with your master, and don't think we can't make you go down just as easy. What were you looking for and what's a gate key?"

23:17, Today: Izzick rolled 31 using 1d20+12.  Intimidate.

In reply to Izzick (msg # 126):

The halfling frowns.  He looks at you Izzick.  Then at the piles of goo that were his associates.  Then back at Lucky and Zuni and Selvin, then back at you again Izzick.

"She had this axe.  It would let her teleport into the castle.  She was meeting with that crazy queen.  Negotiating for the creation of a ghoul army.  Okay?

"Let me go and I'll tell you how it works."

"Ooo...this axe is sounding very useful."  Zuni grinned, only briefly.  The gravity of what else the Halfling had said sunk in.  "A ghoul army?  Oh tell me that the Queen was not seriously considering that."

Lucky listened to the halfling as he cleaned off his bloody kukri's.  When be says something about a ghoul army Lucky asks, "they haven't completed it yet have they?"

If there was a secret ghoul army somewhere thing just got more complicated.

In reply to Lucky Six-Fingers (msg # 129):

The halfling studies you all a moment and then shakes his head.  "Not completely, no.  But..."

He grins.  "I'll make a deal with you.  You walk out of here. leaving me breathing.  And I'll tell you what your beloved Queen is up to.  And how to trigger the axe."

He grins at you all.  "You're gonna wanna take me up on this.  Time is kinda of the essence here."

Zunis eyes narrowed as she studied the Halfling.  She really, really, wanted to end the existences of every necromancer in this tomb so that another Josephine wouldn't re-appear, but the Halfling had a point.  She hated it when evil people who deserved to be killed made good points.  It just muddled up everything.

And she wanted to smack that grin off of his face.

With a rock.

Or an axe.

Zuni turned to the others and gave a small nod of her head.  It pained her to do so but she was inclined to agree with his terms.  The Halfling made a good point, damn him.  They needed to deal with the Queen, not him.  "What do you guys think?"

"As long as the others agree, I guess it is okay,"  Lucky said before turning to the Halfling.

"As for you, this free pass doesn't mean you get to continue the work that is being done here.  It might be better for you to find a new profession, for if I catch wind of you doing anything that is not upstanding I will personally return here and finish the job."  Lucky turned to the green-skinned woman he had made a pin cushion just moments ago.

In reply to Lucky Six-Fingers (msg # 132):

The halfling laughs.  "Sure sure.  Nothing like a lecture in ethics from people planning on breaking into the Castle's vault.  Now let me up."

He stands, rubbing his neck.  "Don't worry.  I plan on being as far from here as I can get.

"See, your Queen wasn't just interested in raising an undead army.  The rebels apparently killed one of her dragons.  The Queen bought a ritual from Josephine.  It allows the grafting of a soul into a body.  A kind of forced possession.  But in this case, it's on a spectacular level.  A huge one.  She plans on grafting the avatar of some weird ass dragon god who was killed centuries ago into the body of that dragon.  I could get into the technical details, but you probably get the gist.

"The ritual is going down tonight.  It will take from moonrise to moonrise to complete.  What time is it about now?  Dawn?"

He shrugs.  "The axe requires the blood of a righteous man.  Once it's bloodied, you can cut a door in the air.  It will lead you to the treasury.  So loot it quick and get the hell out of town.  Because by nightfall...well.  The ghoul army thing will be a nice dream compared to what's comin'."

Maybe it was better not to let the Halfling speak, his words kept making the situation worse.  Binding the soul of a dragon god into the dead body of a dragon?  Were the gods so impressed that Zuni and company had thrown themselves down the gullet of a giant worm that they were curious to see what other stupidly dangerous situations they would willingly charge into?  By Cayden she was going to need a drink.

A moment later she burst out into laughter.  "Blood of a righteous man?  In Korvosa?  I guess we're walking."  She laughed again, though there was no humour in it.  "Ah, what the hells.  Not like I've got anything better to live for.  So does a woman count?  And just how righteous and how much blood?"

In reply to Zuni Runesong (msg # 134):

Chandanar walks over and runs a finger along the edge of the axe.  A fine line of blood leaks out.  He sucks on the finger.

"I got juice to spare.  Is that enough?"

The halfling grins and nods.  "Now you just need to walk over to a wall and chop at it.  Like you're chopping open a door.  And you're off."

Zuni raised a curious eyebrow in Chandanars direction.  "Well.  Chandy...a righteous man...huh..."

Giving the axe a small twirl, to remind herself of the balance of the weapon, Zuni stepped up to a random part of a wall.  Giving a shrug, she swung the axe at the brick.

When Chandalar drew his finger along the blade and blood began to ooze slowly out and down the edge, Lucky looked at the man.  'That one has balls' he thought to himself.

Zuni took the axe and walked to the wall then and chopped at it like trying to fell a tree.  If this worked he was going to be amazed.  "Does it open like a gate?"  Lucky asked.

In reply to Lucky Six-Fingers (msg # 137):

You get your answer in a moment Lucky.

The area of the wall Zuni struck crumbles a bit.  And under it...there's wood.  Like part of a doorframe and old, rickety wooden door.

"See?  You just gotta chop open a complete door.  Then you can go through. And leave me alone."  He spreads out his hands.  "Everybody wins."

You guys ready?  Once you open that door, we are clear for moving to the end of this adventure path.

Zuni ran a finger along the bit of exposed wood.  "It's...wood.  Real wood." she said with some slight wonderment.  "I'm cutting through stone to expose a wooden door..."

With a small grin playing across her lips, Zuni began to enthusiastically swing the axe into the stone, cutting away at rock until a full wooden door had been exposed.  Breathing heavy from the exertion, she turned back to her companions.  "Who wants to do the honours?"

Lucky watched in amazement as Zuni cut the stone to reveal a wooden door.  When she asked who will do the honors Lucky moved forward, "I will check for traps first but I will open it."

19:00, Today: Lucky Six-Fingers rolled 35,28 using d20+19,d20+27.  perception check and disable device if needed.

In reply to Lucky Six-Fingers (msg # 140):

No traps Lucky

Let's move to a new thread.